Agency in San Fernando, Pampanga closed for alleged illegal recruitment

The operator of a supposed illegal recruitment agency in San Fernando, Pampanga failed to appear during an entrapment operation planned by agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

The DMW operatives had zeroed in on a small office masquerading as a travel agency that allegedly recruited Filipino workers for positions in southern Europe in exchange for hefty placement fees of up to P500,000.

The operatives promptly posted closure signs on the office door and locked it with a sliding metal door padlock.

The agency came to DMW's attention after several victims reported being off-loaded—barred from boarding their flights—at NAIA, for lacking their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

"According to the complainants, they were being offered overseas work in Bulgaria with a salary ranging from P90,000 to P100,000 per month, and they were to pay up to P400,000 to P500,000 as a placement fee for factory worker positions," said DMW Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia.

Upon investigation, the office was found devoid of any staff from the agency in question. While a mayor's permit was displayed, local government officials denied issuing such a permit, according to DMW sources. Moreover, it was discovered that the office lacked a DMW license, which would allow them to recruit and deploy Filipino workers abroad.

DMW operatives said they had been monitoring this agency, which had recently relocated to the area. “This is their third move, and just earlier this morning, our team was here waiting for the owner because we were about to implement entrapment proceedings,” said Olalia. “We do not know why they did not show up; however, we have already issued a closure order.”

This operation marks the ninth illegal recruitment office linked to human trafficking that the DMW has shut down this year. This is part of the government's ongoing campaign to combat human trafficking, which includes Filipino victims being trafficked to Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. Reports from the Office of Migration Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) indicate that recruitment activities continue.

The DMW reminds the public to only apply with legitimate recruitment agencies listed on the DMW website. For government-to-government applications, potential workers should apply directly through the DMW without paying any placement fees.

For more information and to view licensed recruitment agencies, visit the DMW's official website. — BM, GMA Integrated News